BJP leader and former wrestler Babita Phogat has criticised Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda over his demand that Haryana should be made the host or co-host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Responding to Hooda’s remarks, Phogat questioned why he had not made a similar demand when the Commonwealth Games were held in Delhi in 2010.
In a post on social media platform X, Phogat pointed out that Hooda was serving as the president of the Haryana Wrestling Association during the 2010 Games. She asked why he did not advocate for Haryana’s role in hosting the event at that time.
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“Why didn’t you raise your voice in 2010 when the Commonwealth Games were organised in Delhi?” Phogat wrote, suggesting that Hooda’s current demand was politically motivated rather than driven by the interests of Haryana’s sporting community.
Phogat also alleged that Hooda failed to strengthen sports infrastructure in the state during his tenure. She claimed he did not organise even a single national-level sporting event in Haryana despite holding an important position in the state’s wrestling administration.
The BJP leader further argued that when an international sporting event is hosted in any Indian state, it is ultimately recognised as an event hosted by India. According to her, the focus should remain on the country’s success rather than on state-level political competition.
She also criticised Hooda over India’s performance at the Commonwealth Games, noting that Indian athletes had helped the country secure fourth place in the overall medals table. Phogat alleged that neither Hooda nor the Congress leadership had highlighted or celebrated the achievement at the time.
Accusing the Congress of indulging in political theatrics, she said Hooda was now creating unnecessary controversy by staging protests outside Parliament over the issue.
The exchange comes after Deepender Hooda, along with other Members of Parliament from Haryana, held a protest in the Parliament complex demanding that Haryana be considered for hosting or co-hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Hooda argued that Haryana deserved the opportunity because of its remarkable contribution to India’s medal tally in international sporting events over the past two decades. He said the state has consistently produced some of India’s finest athletes and should therefore benefit from the investment in sports infrastructure that accompanies the hosting of a mega sporting event.
“We are happy that India has been given the opportunity to host the Commonwealth Games. We urge the government to select Haryana as the host or co-host state,” Hooda said while addressing reporters.
He further claimed that athletes from Haryana have contributed more than half of India’s medals in several major international competitions over the last 15 to 20 years. According to Hooda, this sporting legacy justifies the state’s inclusion in the hosting plans.
The Congress MP also accused the Centre of favouring Gujarat while allocating major national projects and sporting infrastructure. He urged the government to follow the principle of “Raj Dharma” by ensuring equal opportunities for all states.
Ahmedabad was confirmed as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games by Commonwealth Sport last year. India had finished fourth in the medals standings at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, winning 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze, with athletes from Haryana making a significant contribution to the country’s overall success.
